How to insert, edit, and delete a comment in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word

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The comment feature in Microsoft Word is useful for making a note of something that requires attention, needs fixing, or provides additional information to others reading a document.

To insert, edit, and delete a comment in Microsoft Word, select from the list of actions below for help and instructions.

What does a Word comment look like?

The following image is an example of how a comment may appear in Microsoft Word.

Comment in Microsoft Word 2016

Insert a new comment

To insert a new comment in a Word document, select your version and follow the steps.

Microsoft Word 2013 and later

  1. Using your mouse, place the text cursor where you want to insert a comment. You can also highlight one or more words to set a comment specifically for that highlighted text.
  2. In the Ribbon menu, click the Insert tab.
  3. On the Insert tab, click the Comment or New Comment option in the Comments group.

Insert Comment in Microsoft Word 2016

  1. A new comment is added to the right side of the document. Click in the comment to enter the desired text.

Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010

  1. Using your mouse, place the text cursor where you want to insert a comment. You can also highlight one or more words to set a comment specifically for that highlighted text.
  2. In the Ribbon menu, click the Review tab.
  3. On the Review tab, click the New Comment option.
  4. A new comment is added to the right side of the document. Click in the comment to enter the desired text.

Microsoft Word 2003 and earlier

  1. Using your mouse, place the text cursor where you want to insert a comment. You can also highlight one or more words to set a comment specifically for that highlighted text.
  2. In the menu at the top of the Microsoft Word program window, click Insert.
  3. In the drop-down menu, click the Comment option.

Edit a comment

To edit a comment in a Microsoft Word document, select your version and follow the steps.

Microsoft Word Online (web version)

  1. In the Microsoft Word Online document, find the comment you want to edit.
  2. The comment should be visible on the right side of the document. Click the ellipsis icon in the top-right corner of the comment box.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Edit comment.

Edit comment option in Microsoft Word Online.

  1. Modify the comment text, then click the blue Post comment button to save the changes.

Microsoft Word 365

  1. In the Microsoft Word 365 document, find the comment you want to edit.
  2. The comment should be visible on the right side of the document. Click the pencil icon in the top-right corner of the comment box.

Edit comment option in Microsoft Word 365.

  1. Modify the comment text, then click the blue Post comment button to save the comment change.

Microsoft Word 2019 and earlier

  1. In the Microsoft Word document, find the comment you want to edit.
  2. The comment should be visible on the right side of the document. Click in the comment and edit the text for it.

Delete a comment

To delete a comment in a Microsoft Word document, select your version and follow the steps.

Microsoft Word 365 and Word Online (web version)

  1. In the Microsoft Word Online document, find the comment you want to delete.
  2. The comment should be visible on the right side of the document. Click the ellipsis icon in the top-right corner of the comment box.
  3. In the drop-down menu, select Delete thread.

Delete thread option in Microsoft Word Online.

Alternatively, you can select Resolve thread to close a comment. The comment remains, but is locked for editing, allowing you to reference the comment in the future.

Microsoft Word 2019 and earlier

  1. In the Microsoft Word document, find the comment you want to delete.
  2. Using your mouse, place the text cursor over the comment on the right side of the document.
  3. Right-click with your mouse and select the Delete Comment option in the pop-up menu.

Delete Comment option in Microsoft Word.

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